An overview of ITU's activities on EMF
Cristina Bueti
Advisor, ITU-T Study Group 5
http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/emf/Pages/default.aspx
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The ICT revolution
By end 2014, there will be:
~ 3 billion Internet users,
two-thirds of them coming from the
developing world
the number of mobile-broadband
subscriptions will reach 2.3 billion globally (5%
of these subscriptions are expected to be in
the developing world)
mobile-cellular subscriptions will reach
almost 7 billion by end 2014
Source: ITU, The World in 2014: ICT Facts and Figures
www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/statistics
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The issue…
The electromagnetic fields
are unknown and
undetectable for people…
Lack of regulation
and/or
non-compliance...
Lack of
communication and
information to citizens…
It can generate a lack of trust, which may become fear…
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Regulation of non-ionizing radiations
Exposure standards:
Emission standards:
Specifications that limit the
exposure of people to the
Electromagnetic fields (EMF)
Specifications that limit the
emission of electromagnetic
fields (EMF) from the devices
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How can global standards help…
 Facilitate compliance with
international standards
 Strengthen collaboration among
stakeholders
 Ensure transparency
 Enhance communication with citizens
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ITU-T Study Group 5
Lead study group for:
electromagnetic compatibility
and electromagnetic effects
WP1/5
Damage
prevention
and safety
7 Questions
WP3/5
ICT and climate
change
5 Questions
WP2/5
Electromagnetic fields:
emission, immunity and
human exposure
6 Questions
Q7/5 Human exposure to
electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due
to radio systems and mobile
equipment
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Question 7/5
Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio
systems and mobile equipment
Main study area:
Real site measurements and modeling of the multiple sources
operating on different frequencies and transmitting antennas;
Determine the validity of electromagnetic field predictions;
Procedures and guidance on numerical modeling of EMFs in the
areas around telecommunication transmitting antennas and
various systems;
Guidance based on existing SAR measuring and calculating
procedures, techniques and protocols for evaluating EMF due to
ICT equipment;
Handbook to answer frequently questions about human
exposure to EMF.
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Question 7/5
Human exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) due to radio
systems and mobile equipment
Main tasks:
Develop Recommendations for the telecommunication
sector;
Implement the mandate of the ITU Resolutions on EMF;
Collaboration with other standardization bodies (IEC,
CENELEC, WHO) in order to avoid duplication of work;
Maintenance and enhancement of the existing
Recommendations.
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ITU-T SG5
Focus Group on Smart Sustainable Cities (FG–SSC)
FG-SSC includes „EMF Considerations in
Smart Sustainable Cities„
The design and deployment of
wireless networks must ensure
electromagnetic field (EMF)
compliance and minimize human
exposure to radio frequency (RF)
radiation
EMF considerations in Smart
Sustainable Cities have to ensure the
networks and connected devices
operate safely and most efficiently
http://www.itu.int/en/ITU-T/focusgroups/ssc/Pages/default.aspx
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Typical EMF assessment
Safety
 EMF compliance at sites
 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S)
for workers and public
Environmental
 Radio signals in the community
 Educational & informative
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EMF assessment methods
Calculations or measurements?
 EMF assessment method depends on site & environment
 Calculations - suitable in many cases, & have significant benefits - accurate, fast & cost
effective
 Measurements - required in very complex environments
 Field monitoring

•
Field monitoring is effective when working on towers for safety
•
Field surveys can provide public reassurance
•
Continuous monitoring – limited long term benefit where EMF levels are low and stable
ITU-T Recommendations - guidance on both calculation and measurements
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ITU-T Recommendations for EMF assessment
 ITU-T K.52 Guidance on complying with limits for human exposure to electromagnetic fields
 ITU-T K.61 Guidance on measurement and numerical prediction of electromagnetic fields for
compliance with human exposure limits for telecommunication installations
 ITU-T K.70 Mitigation techniques to limit human exposure to EMFs in the vicinity of
radiocommunication stations – includes EMF Estimator software
 ITU-T K.83 Monitoring of electromagnetic field levels
 ITU-T K.91 Guidance for assessment, evaluation and monitoring of human exposure to radio
frequency electromagnetic fields
 ITU-T K.100 Measurement of radio frequency electromagnetic fields to determine compliance
with human exposure limits when a base station is put into service
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Highlights on deliverables - continued
 ITU-T K. 52 aims to help with compliance with safety
limits for human exposure to EMFs;
 Provides guidance on calculation method, and
installation assessment procedure;
 Is based on safety limits provided by ICNIRP;
 Determines the likelihood of installation compliance
based on accessibility criteria, antenna properties and
emitter power;
 Recommends IEC Standard for the compliance
measurement of mobile handsets.
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Highlights on deliverables - continued
 ITU-T K. 61 helps telecommunication operators
to verify compliance with exposure standards
promulgated by local or national authorities;
 Provides guidance on measurement methods
that can be used to achieve a compliance
assessment;
 Provides guidance on the selection of numerical
methods suitable for exposure prediction in
various situations.
Antenna
Reflecting wall
no reflection
direct
reflection
Reflecting surface
K.61_F02
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Highlights on deliverables - continued
 ITU-T K. 70 defines techniques which may be used by
telecommunication operators to evaluate the cumulative
(total) exposure ratio in the vicinity of transmitting antennas
and to identify the main source of radiation;
 Provides guidance on mitigation methods which allow
reduction of radiation level;
 Provides guidance on procedures necessary in the
environment (on site) in which, in most cases, there is a
simultaneous exposure to multiple frequencies from many
different sources;
 Includes a software provided that implements the
methodology: EMF estimator
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Highlights on deliverables - continued
 ITU-T K.83 provides guidance on how to make long-term
measurements and monitoring of EMF in the selected areas
that are under public concern, in order to show that EMFs are
under control and under the limits;
 Implementation of Recommendation ITU-T K.83
"Monitoring of electromagnetic field levels" in countries (e.g.
Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador and
Uruguay).
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Highlights on deliverables - continued
 ITU-T K.91 provides guidance on how to assess and
monitor human exposure to radio frequency (RF)
electromagnetic fields (EMF) in areas with surrounding
radio communication installations based on existing
exposure and compliance standards, based on existing
exposure and compliance standards in the frequency
range of 9 kHz to 300 GHz;
 includes advantages and disadvantages of methods.
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Highlights on deliverables - continued
Guide on electromagnetic fields and health
(​Supplement 1 to Recommendation ITU-T K.91)
 Answers to typical questions asked by
the public on EMF, and to address
typical misunderstandings on EMF
matters in the society
 Provides education and information:
promoting EMF information and
education resources suitable for all
communities, stakeholders and
governments.
 Supports clarification of the science:
referencing the WHO and other
stakeholders providing information
most useful in helping clarify scientific
uncertainties e.g. in the areas of Radio
Frequency technology, infrastructure
implementation, usage, and
consequential EMF exposure.
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Highlights on deliverables - continued
 ITU-T K.100 provides guidance on how to measure radio
frequency electromagnetic fields in order to determine
compliance with human exposure limits when a base
station is put into service
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Deliverables under study
 ITU-T K.env - Guidance on the Environmental
Management for Electromagnetic Radiation from
Radiocommunication Base Stations
 ITU-T K.maps - Maps of the RF EMF
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EMF flyer and website
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ITU-D Study Group 2
Question 7/2 - Strategies and policies concerning human
exposure to electromagnetic fields
 Q7/2 was agreed on at WTDC-14 for the 2014-2018 study period.
 Q7/2 is a continuation of ITU-D SG1 Q23/1 (Final deliverables online in all six
languages at: http://www.itu.int/pub/D-STG-SG01.23-2014).
Topics to be studied under Question 7/2:
 Compilation and analysis of envisaged or adopted regulatory policies on human
exposure to electromagnetic fields authorizing the installation of
radiocommunication sites and telecommunication systems over electric power lines;
 Description of strategies or methods for raising awareness and informing people
about the effects of electromagnetic fields caused by radio systems;
 Preparation guidelines and best practices.
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ITU-D Study Group 2
Expected outcomes:
Report(s) and Guidelines
 Providing information on regulatory policies concerning EMF.
 Describing strategies for raising the awareness and sharing information about the
possible effects of EMF and related country case studies.
 Sharing country experiences related to the regulation and measurements of the EMF.
 Providing information that may assist Member States in resolving common issues faced
by different stakeholders, notably regulatory bodies when it comes to EMF.
 Etc. (details will be shared in the work plan for the Question) *
First meeting of Q7/2 for the new study cycle:
 During the ITU-D SG2 meeting in Geneva, 22-26 September 2014
 Details on how to participate are available here:
http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/CDS/sg/blkmeetings.asp?lg=1&sp=2014&blk=13709
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ITU-R Study Groups
Study Group Department
 Study Group 1 (SG 1) - Spectrum management
 Study Group 3 (SG 3) - Radiowave propagation
 Study Group 4 (SG 4) - Satellite services
 Study Group 5 (SG 5) - Terrestrial services
 Study Group 6 (SG 6) - Broadcasting service
 Study Group 7 (SG 7) - Science services
ITU-R Activities on human exposure to
non-ionizing radiation
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ITU-R Study Groups
Spectrum management
Handbook on Spectrum monitoring – Edition 2011
http://www.itu.int/pub/R-HDB-23-2011/en
 Non-ionizing radiation measurements, § 5.6
 Measurement procedures/techniques and instruments
 Covers 9 kHz – 6 GHz range and above
 Different types of signals and services
 ICNIRP 1998: Reference levels for occupational
and general public exposure to time-varying
electric and magnetic fields
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ITU-R Study Groups
Broadcasting service
Recommendation ITU-R BS.1698
Evaluating fields from terrestrial BC transmitting systems operating in any frequency
band for assessing exposure to non-ionizing radiation.
Provides:
 Considerations relating to field strengths and characteristics also in the near field
and for the bands:
• LF/MF bands (150-1 605 kHz)
• HF bands (3-30 MHz)
• VHF/UHF bands (30 MHz-3 GHz)
• SHF (3-30 GHz)
 Closed solutions and numerical procedures for calculating exposure to nonionizing radiation
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ITU-R Study Groups
Broadcasting service
Recommendation ITU-R BS.1698
Evaluating fields from terrestrial BC transmitting systems operating in any frequency
band for assessing exposure to non-ionizing radiation.
Provides:
 Measurement techniques and required instrumentation for measuring EMF and
exposure levels
 Precautionary measures to be taken at transmitting stations and in their vicinity
 Exposure limits and derived levels based on:
• IEEE/ANSI (1992)
• ICNIRP (April 1998)
• NRPB (UK, 1993)
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Purpose of ITU’s activities
EMF safety
Important to assess EMF compliance at sites
Important to establish Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) procedures
Environmental
 Educational and informative
 Calculation vs monitoring – a balance is needed
Effective public communication
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Conclusions
Compliance with EMF exposure limits is a substantial factor in SSC
development
Good communication with public is a very important task
Efficient deployment of wireless infrastructure reduces the RF EMF
from networks and devices
ITU guidance may be helpful in smooth and safe implementation of
wireless systems
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 ITU-T/SG5 “Environment & Climate Change”
itu.int/go/tsg5
 ITU-T/SG5 Series K Recommendations (free of charge)
itu.int/ITU-T/recommendations/index_sg.aspx?sg=5
 ITU and EMF
itu.int/go/emfs
Thank you
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